MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 24, 2023) – Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) announced today the release of its 2022 Community Impact Report, which includes the results of its work with partners across the region. In 2022, United Way served more than half a million people in the areas of housing, food, education and economic opportunity. To address immediate needs, the organization continued providing direct service through its 211 resource helpline and as a local call center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. To create lasting change, United Way launched 80×3, a new initiative aimed at transforming the early childhood education system through trauma-sensitive care for children ages zero to three.
“This report highlights the impact United Way had last year through our partnerships with local nonprofits, corporate partners, individual donors, volunteers, advocates and more,” said John Wilgers, President & CEO, Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Together we’re addressing both immediate needs and also changing systems so that income, race and place no longer predict a person’s ability to thrive – and where urgent needs are far less frequent.”
In 2022, United Way responded to nearly 470,000 requests to its 211 resource helpline for housing and shelter, utilities, food, child care, and more. Additionally, United Way 211 continued serving as the public-facing access point for the state’s RentHelpMN program, which concluded in September 2022, answering over 380,000 calls over the course of the program and helping hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans access nearly $450 million in rental assistance and stay housed. Last year, United Way also launched a new partnership with the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities to leverage 211 to support more than 340,000 students in meeting basic needs.
In 2021, United Way began offering crisis support as a local provider of the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Following the rollout of the new national 988 number in July 2022, United Way saw a 25 percent sustained increase in calls and expanded its team of specialists to meet the community need. Over the course of the year, United Way answered nearly 18,000 calls to 988 – a 91 percent increase over 2021, its first year as a Lifeline provider.
“211 and 988 are vital community resources that are available to anyone, anywhere, any time,” said Julie Ogunleye, Director of 211 and 988 at Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Reaching out for help can be hard, but caring United Way specialists are here to listen and to provide support and help accessing local resources that may be available to help in a variety of circumstances.”
In June 2022, United Way launched 80×3, an early childhood education initiative aimed at increasing trauma-informed practices among child care providers so young people get the support they need for healthy brain development by age three. 80×3 partners with organizations throughout the early childhood education sector, and in 2022, United Way awarded $1.2 million in grants to nine organizations. To date, more than 150 early childhood educators and leaders have participated in 80×3, strengthening their trauma-sensitive skills, increasing collaboration across the sector, and addressing systemic challenges in the field.
United Way supported 138 local nonprofits in direct service, innovation and advocacy last year. In April 2022, United Way awarded $10.5 million in Community Investments multi-year grants to 88 nonprofits working toward equity in housing, food, education and economic opportunity. Organizations that center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander and other Communities of Color, and support those earning incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level, were prioritized for funding.
Last year, United Way also launched its inaugural Career Academies Purpose Driven Paychecks program, to help ensure all students have access to wealth-building, purpose-driven careers. Purpose Driven Paychecks builds new partnerships among employers, nonprofits and educational systems, and in 2022, the program supported 400 students with meaningful work experiences.
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About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
